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James L. Taylor’s Lone Pine has stood at the corner of River Road and Main Street since 1900. Taylor, the son of a wealthy Brooklyn industrialist and early golf enthusiast, had played with his father in their native Scotland and endeavored to further the sport throughout his life. In 1899 he purchased land the on which he would build his summer residence, and in exchange for 50 shares of $50 par value stock, provided the 200 acres for the new Ekwanok Country Club golf course.

In addition to co-founding the Ekwanok, Taylor brought course designer John Duncan Dunn and golf legend Walter J. Travis to Manchester, who together laid out the new course. Taylor served as the club’s vice-president from 1902-1926, governor from 1899-1932, and succeeded Robert Todd Lincoln as its president from 1926-1932. He died in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1935. Lone Pine was left to his only child, Miss Florence Taylor, who would continue to summer in Manchester until her death in 1976. She left the house to the McNamara family, who had served the Taylor family faithfully for a generation.

Lone Pine is currently owned by Anzelmo Graziosi and Maria Violi of Stamford, Connecticut, who purchased it in 2010 for use by their growing and extended family. They have graciously offered to open their home for this exclusive event, giving us an opportunity to view the interior of this turn of the twentieth-century home, which has been maintained and updated for modern family life while retaining much of the original floor plan and architectural details.

Three tours will be given on Saturday, October 14, at 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Admission is $50 per person.

A benefit cocktail party will be held on Saturday evening from 5-7 pm and includes a tour of the house. Tickets are $75 and are limited. All proceeds will be used to further the work of the Manchester Historical Society

Ticket reservations may be made by email or by leaving a message at 802-549-4582. To pay online click Details in the Events page above.

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About MHS

The mission of the Manchester Historical Society is to collect, preserve, interpret and present the story of Manchester, Vermont, through the research collection, exhibitions, programs, and publications.